A review of the industrial application of microalgae and cyanobacteria in the removal of heavy metals and the synthesis of nanoparticles

Irregular emissions of metals from various industrial, agricultural and human sources have led toenvironmental pollution of heavy metals. Heavy metals are highly toxic to humans and animals. Amongthem, microalgae and cyanobacteria with the potential to grow in extreme conditions, including placescontaminated with heavy metals, have effective defense strategies to combat the toxic effects of heavymetal ions. In this way, they can accumulate high concentrations of heavy metals in their cellular organs.Potential efficiency in metal adsorption, accumulation and resistance in microalgae has led to theirrecognition as efficient microorganisms in the biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles and metal oxides. Inthis review article, the aim is to investigate different strategies for the removal of heavy metals as well asthe mechanisms of nanoparticle synthesis by microalgae. Obviously, studying the widespread use ofmicroalgae in the bioremediation industry can play an important role in conserving our environmentalresources in the future.